Holding Auditions... the process

troy mcclure

troy mcclure

Mar 5, 2007
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Central Florida
#1
I have played with the same group of guys in a rock cover band for 7 years on and off and our guitarist is moving on. In the past we have used fill ins and played songs they knew off our list. Moving forward, I thought rather than give someone a complete list of our tunes ( about 130) why not pick 5 tunes that are not common denominator songs and use those same 5 songs to audition everyone. ( I have had 6 people respond in 36 hrs to my FB post)
I picked:
a ballad with no solo but lots of finger picking
a tune with an acoustic verse and hard rock chorus to see how he would handle the transition tone wise
Carry on my Wayward Sun, to see how he would cover the piano verses ( we are a 3 piece with a Lead Singer)
Full out metal tune w, solo
New Country Tune with a Banjo intro

I have set up a date 3 weeks from now and given the 6 guys the song list.
I am curious if anyone has any ideas beside tone, feel and accuracy what else i should looking for?
I am mean obviously I will look for red flags, (drugs, drama, car issues, )
 
#3
I’m not sure “tone” is the best eval factor unless you’re just trying to eliminate a bad fit....my old guitarist would play wagon wheel with the gain on. Grr. Tone can be coached if the candidate is willing and open minded. Feel and accuracy is different. And all the social factors....
 
#5
A few pointers:

  • Does the guitarist show up prepared? Right gear, right amp, ready to play
  • Did they learn the songs as requested?
  • Did they complain about the audition process (instant rejection)
  • How quickly can they learn material? A gigging band needs someone in a few weeks, not a few months?
  • How does the band gigging schedule fit with their life?
  • How do you get along with the guy?
 
#7
troy mcclure said:
I have played with the same group of guys in a rock cover band for 7 years on and off and our guitarist is moving on. In the past we have used fill ins and played songs they knew off our list. Moving forward, I thought rather than give someone a complete list of our tunes ( about 130) why not pick 5 tunes that are not common denominator songs and use those same 5 songs to audition everyone. ( I have had 6 people respond in 36 hrs to my FB post)
I picked:
a ballad with no solo but lots of finger picking
a tune with an acoustic verse and hard rock chorus to see how he would handle the transition tone wise
Carry on my Wayward Sun, to see how he would cover the piano verses ( we are a 3 piece with a Lead Singer)
Full out metal tune w, solo
New Country Tune with a Banjo intro

I have set up a date 3 weeks from now and given the 6 guys the song list.
I am curious if anyone has any ideas beside tone, feel and accuracy what else i should looking for?
I am mean obviously I will look for red flags, (drugs, drama, car issues, )
Click to expand...

Your system looks a lot like mine in the "smart musician/well-versed player" department. We give all our audition candidates the same playlist and see how smart and prepared they are.

Someone will stand out in all the many facets of execution, and they will bring you intangibles and confidence in ways you didn't even anticipate. Try to hold out for that person.

Good luck with it.
 
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#9
Even after you make your pick, tell them there's a 3 month probationary period. Our band had to deal with a couple of keyboard players that seemed OK at first then their true nature made itself known. First guy wanted to be the leader and make all the decisions. When we said no frigging way he quit on the spot leaving us in a bit of a bind. Took a while on the 2nd guy to realize he couldn't play a groove to save his life and when we fired him he went nuts.
 
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#10
thenazz said:
Even after you make your pick, tell them there's a 3 month probationary period. Our band had to deal with a couple of keyboard players that seemed OK at first then their true nature made itself known. First guy wanted to be the leader and make all the decisions. When we said no frigging way he quit on the spot leaving us in a bit of a bind. Took a while on the 2nd guy to realize he couldn't play a groove to save his life and when we fired him he went nuts.
Click to expand...

Goes without saying. Everything in life has a perpetual probationary period.

:)
 
#15
thenazz said:
Even after you make your pick, tell them there's a 3 month probationary period. Our band had to deal with a couple of keyboard players that seemed OK at first then their true nature made itself known. First guy wanted to be the leader and make all the decisions. When we said no frigging way he quit on the spot leaving us in a bit of a bind. Took a while on the 2nd guy to realize he couldn't play a groove to save his life and when we fired him he went nuts.
Click to expand...

I'm not sold on the probationary period thing myself. I mean, did a lack of the period somehow prevent you from firing these people? Would the problems they had somehow not be present if they had gone through probation?

The way I see it:

Best case scenario: they realize they are on probation and subdue their undesirable traits for the first three months, then BOOM, they rip off their disguise!

Worst case scenario: an actual desirable member feels like their half-in, half out. They're not sure if they're being jerked around or not. They're keeping their eyes open for greener pastures, and if they find one, they're GONE.
 
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